Waterloo 16, Stourbridge 16

A REMARKABLE late comeback enabled Waterloo to share the honours with National Two title challengers Stourbridge and put everyone at the club in the right mood for next weekend's huge cup tie against National One leaders Bristol.

A REMARKABLE late comeback enabled Waterloo to share the honours with National Two title challengers Stourbridge and put everyone at the club in the right mood for next weekend's huge cup tie against National One leaders Bristol.

With five minutes to go it seemed all over, but a sudden bout of genuine running rugby produced two splendid tries.

Quite what sparked this touch of inspiration is hard to say, but for the first time this season the three-quarters suddenly started to turn the ball as they did 12 months ago, and literally ran their opponents off their feet. After a couple of half chances had been wasted, a high-speed threequarter move ended spectacularly with flanker Dan Palmer diving over in the corner.

There were only a couple of minutes left so replacement fly-half Neil Hunter wisely tried (if unsuccessfully) to convert with a drop kick to save time, and gave his team one last chance.

Suddenly Waterloo were in possession again with their backs in full flight and another high-speed move ended with skipper Freeman Payne putting his centre partner Gareth Davies over in the corner as he did so frequently last season.

Hunter missed the conversion, but both players and crowd were delighted at this unexpected late revival.

Waterloo had got off to the worst possible start, with dynamic flanker Nijike Tchakoute sinbinned only a few minutes after the kick-off and it took them some time to recover. Fortunately the return of full-back Rob Hitchmough, playing his first league game of the season, helped the backs settle down and Freeman Payne also looked happier for being back in the centre.

Fly-half Steve Nutt gave them the lead with a penalty after 22 minutes, but Stourbridge's versatile marksman Ben Harvey, who had been switched to the wing from his usual position at scrum-half, responded with a penalty.

A terrible Waterloo throw at a lineout near their own line gave the visitors a marvellous chance to take the lead, but skipper Freeman Payne produced a vital interception to keep the scores level.

Scru- half John Broxson managed a couple of excellent breaks with little support and Nutt missed an awkward penalty before the visitors took the lead with a well created try from Ben Watters, converted by Harvey, who went on to add a penalty. Nutt hit back with a penalty before being replaced by Hunter, whose arrival had much to do with his side's dramatic recovery.